Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Good afternoon, everyone. This is Maggie Rodriguez filling in for Katie.

The Holiday shopping numbers are in, and they're not pretty for retailers. The number of shoppers declined 4.9 percent for Christmas week compared to last year, and traffic is down 16 percent for the season. Michelle Miller reports that more stores are expected to close in 2009 though others are striving to turn a profit.

The battle lines are drawn in the Senate over embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's appointment of Roland Burris to the seat being vacated by President-elect Obama. Wyatt Andrews reports on the unanswered questions—including what happens next Tuesday when Burris arrives at the Capitol to be sworn in—and how race factors into this equation.

Turning to the continuing conflict in the Middle East, Israel sent more troops and armor to the Gaza border, raising the prospects of a potential ground invasion. Mark Phillips has the latest from the frontline.

Back home, more Americans are responding to the dismal economy by resurrecting an old practice. Mark Strassman has a look at the business of bartering.

Finally tonight, we'll take a look back at 2008—a year of great hope and expectations but one that also saw apprehension and fear as financial markets crumbled.